This reaction mechanism occurs with an alkoxide ion and a primary alkyl halide in the Williamson ether synthesis. For 10 points each:
[10h] Identify this concerted reaction mechanism. A backside attack in this reaction mechanism results in a complete Walden inversion of stereochemistry.
ANSWER: SN2 [or bimolecular nucleophilic substitutions; prompt on SN or nucleophilic substitutions; reject “SN1” or “unimolecular nucleophilic substitutions”]
[10m] SN2 reactions are faster when performed with aprotic varieties of these molecules, such as acetonitrile or DMSO, since they shield the nucleophile less.
ANSWER: solvents [or aprotic solvents]
[10e] SN2 reaction rates also increase with the strength of the nucleophile, which is closely related to this property. Solutions with this property have a pH greater than 7.
ANSWER: basic [or alkaline; accept word forms like basicity or bases; accept word forms like alkali]
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